Diversity in Life Science Programs

Travel Award Program for Early-Career Investigators from URM Backgrounds

This program is funded by the NIGMS Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Ancillary Training Activities Program; therefore those employed by the National Institutes of Health are not eligible to apply.

Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology will offer a limited number of travel awards to early-career investigators at the Assistant Professor or equivalent industry scientist level. The travel awards are to attend Keystone Symposia meetings.

Background

At times researchers find that attending a Keystone Symposia meeting might substantially further a current research project or assist in problem-solving around a particular experimental issue. These travel awards are specifically designed to address this situation. The emphasis is on URM scientists who are pursuing research careers at the Assistant Professor or industry scientist equivalent level. Applicant must be no greater than four years into their appointment. The plan for providing such awards is as follows:

  • There will be (10) awards for the 2013/2014 Keystone Symposia meeting season.
  • The applicants must choose a scheduled meeting from March 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014 and have all receipts submitted for reimbursement to Keystone Symposia within 2 weeks post the end of the meeting.
  • Reimbursement is only for registration, ground and air transportation, and lodging.
  • Applications are reviewed by meeting organizers and the DLSP office.
  • Awards are made based on the applicant's research question and the likelihood of getting the question answered at the meeting selected.
  • All awards will be made on a "first come - first served" basis.
  • Award Amount: 1,950 USD. This is a reimbursement award - all receipts must be submitted at one time for reimbursement.
  • The application process for such awards will open March 1, 2013.
  • Click here to download the application.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
  • These travel awards are specifically for early career investigators at the Assistant Professor or industry scientist equivalent level.
  • Applicant must be from one of the designated underrepresented minority (URM) populations in the United States. These are African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander or Bicultural (i.e., claims parental heritage to one of the above populations in the United States).
  • Applicant must hold a Ph.D. in life or biomedical sciences from an accredited institution and be actively engaged in "bench" research.

Commitment of Successful Applicant

Applicants receiving travel awards will be required to submit a concise statement regarding specifically how this travel award will benefit their current research and assist in solving a research/experimental problem. They will also be asked to commit to seriously mentoring a URM student in a laboratory (undergraduate, graduate, Postdoc) around career development and positioning issues as well as research for a minimum of 1 year.

Application Process

  • Click here to download the application.
  • Submit completed application to:
    Keystone Symposia
    Diversity in Life Science Programs (DLSP)
    PO Box 1630
    160 U.S. HWY 6, Suite 200
    Silverthorne, CO 80498

  • Questions? bridgets@keystonesymposia.org
  • +1 970-262-2692